Indicator



B. F. MCGLOTHLEN.

INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I6. 1919. 1,380,227. Patented May 31.1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- I l.

A T'TORNE Y.

B. F. MCGLOTHLEN.

INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I6. 19H7. 1,380,227.

Patented May 31,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 A TT ORNE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

:BARTON F. MGGLOTHLEN, OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA.

INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 31, 1921.

Application filed August 16, 1919. Serial No. 317,994.

. To all whom t concern.'

`or the like, 'in order that the load limit may not be exceeded.

It is customary, particularly in freight cars, to indicate the tare or light weight'on the sideof thecar by painting or otherwise aiixing the numerals indicatingsuch light weight thereto. This mannerof indicating` the tare weight is generally carried out at sometime subsequent to the actual weighing, and usually by someone other than the actual r`weight-master. This permits lthe unauthorized variationV from the actual tare weight, if deception is desired. The present invention is designed to `avoid this possibility, kandto provide an indicator which maybe set and sealed by the weight-master, at the moment the weighing isrcompleted, and which cannot subsequently be tampered withwithout visible indication of such un- E authorized attempt.

The present indicator comprises a case, having aseries of dials, arranged therein, which may be adjusted to denote through a cover for fthe case the numbers indicating the tare weight of the particular vehicle, The cover is adapted to be locked in closed position, to prevent unauthorized tampering with the dials, and provision is made wherebythe dials are secured in relative position following. their adjustment. The locking means for the cover is accessible through an openingin the cover, and followingthe adjustment of the dials by the weight-master, n

a card is arranged to seal the opening in the cover through which vthe locking means is accessible. This card may be inscribed with any suitable data as the date of the weighing and the name of the weight-master or place ofk weighing,l and as the locking means is not accessible except through the openingprotected by the card, it is apparent that to unlock the cover and change the dial, the card must be destroyed. -This Vat once gives evidence of the tampering with the device, so that proper andnecessary action may be taken.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view of the improved indicator, the sealing card being shown in place. Y

Fig. 2 is a similar view .with the cover raised and the dials exposed. f

.Fig 3 is a section on the lline 3 3. of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4: is a detail of the means for holding the dials of one set in relatively fixed posi-` tion following their adjustment, said view taken .on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

F ig. 5 is a detail of the locking means for the cover, showing particularly the 'support for the sealing card.

Similar 'numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

Y The improved indicator is Vhere shown as i comprising a base l, on which is mounted a plate 2, preferably raised from the base, as shown. A cover 3 is hinged tothe base l,

said cover being of the hollow type, so that when in closed position it completely covers and incloses the plate 2. A post 4 is secured in and rises from the plate 2, and mounted for rotation on said post are a series of dials 5. The dials 5, here shown as three in number, comprise circular plates 6 arranged in superimposed relation, the plates being of decreasing diameter in superimposed order, so that a considerable edge margin of each plate is exposed by the plate L above it, and these respective edge margins are adapted to receive the numerals, indicated at 7. Preferably each of the two outer plates is dished or recessed, asrat 8,

to receive the immediately superimposed y plate, whereby all vof the plates occupy a space equal to thethickness only of the outermost plate.

The plate 2 is formed adjacent to one edge i with. a raised plate section 9, the plate section 9 overlying the edge of the outermost dial 5, as shown. A `post 10 rises from the plate sectionV 9, and on Athis postv 10. are mounted additionalrdials 11. The `dials l1 here shown as two plates 12, are, arranged l i as are the plates 6 of the dials 5, that is in superimposed relation with the uppermost plate 12 of less diameter than the adjacent plate, to provide a margin, on which numerals Vmay be placed.

The particular arrangement of the respective sets of dials, and the number of plates composing the respective sets of dials, is not to be restricted by the showing herein, as it is contemplated that any number of plates may be used, one set or more of dials may beused, and the numerals on the respective plates arranged in any desired order or relation, in orderto more particularly provide forth'e special use for which the indicator is designed. It is of course to-befunderstood Vthat tlre respective plates of the respective sets of dials` may b e independently rotated when the cover is raised, and the invention contemplates 4a means whereby the plate of each set ofdials may be locked in lined relation one to another following their adjustment in order to indicate the desiredynumerals on the margin. This securing or fixing means is the same for each set of dials, and Vcomprises-a plate 12X passed over the reduced' endof the posts 4 or 10 as the case may be, andhaving hinged thereto a movable section 13.- Th'e section 13 has pin *111 projecting therefrom, which Vwhen said section is turned down on theplate12x, it is adapted to enter any one of a series of holes 15, formed in the plates 'of the respective-dial`s-V Following the proper relative adjustment of the dial plates, the holes 15 therein will aline, and when the securing means is in operative position, the post 4 lwilll enter` 'all the Vholes of the superimposed plates and prevent their independent movement "except following the removal of the fastening means.\ The fastening means isy Valso'adapted to lockthe dials with relation to the baseplate, forwhich purpose the pin le of the fasteningmeans is adaptedl follow ing its passage through the holes l5 in the plates of adial to enter an opening 16 in the auxiliary base plate 2, following which the dial plates'are not only locked lwith relation to each other, but with relation to the base plate.V By this means when the dials have been set to indicate a particular numeralf. 'they are locked through the fastening means described so that they may not be disturbed until accessis had to such fastening means. As stated the plate 12x of the fastening means is `passed over the reduced upper end lof the post on which' the dials are rotatably mounted. The plate 12X and therefore V*the fastening means is secured to the post by a nut 17 secured upon the threaded upper end of the post, and the hinged 'section y13 of the fastening means is utilized to hold the nut against unscrewing movement through forming a rectangular opening in said section 13. When the plate means is preferably applied to that edge of the cover remote from the hinge connection of said cover and plate 2, andy is arranged centrally of sai-dV plate. The latch nose 18 is adapted to engage an appropriate lug 21 formed on the inner side `of. the cover, as will be 'seen from the drawings. The plates 2 and 9 are formed with openings 22, through which the upper end of the yrod may be accessible, whereby it may be moved-by the fingers to 'withdraw the lock when Vdesired, thus releasing the cover, when further adjustment of the dialsby the proper lauthority is desired. Gard' receiving ledges 24 are arranged adjacent to the openings 23, Y

so that a card 25 may be yapplied thereto, which when in position and inengagement witlithe ledges, as shown in the drawings, will conceal the openings through which the lock is manipulated.

' The cover is formed withopenings 26 vthrough which the vappropriatennmerals of the respective dials are visible,'a`nd with an opening 27 adapted to alinelwith the card,

heretofore described;y The latterj'opening would permit access, 'to the-'cover locking means wereit not iforfthe card, 'so'that Vany attempt lto unlock the cover to get at the dials to fraudulentlv make the'c'h'a'nge therein, must first inclu e the destructionof the card. If such card is stamped or otherwise of special marking, it is apparent thatv any locked relation with the dials, and that the numerals indicated on the dials as disclosed through the openings in the cover `are/as they were originally set; Thebas'eA V"1' may indicate my appropriate' ma @rawhide or may be utilized'a's a base fori-"the"indi` cator proper las desired.

Having thus described the invention'what is claimed 'as new is z" j 1. A'tarey indicator comprising a3 base, a dial mounted thereon and' comprising a series of independently rotatable plates having marginal numerals, meansforlocking the plates withi relation to'each other and to the base,a cover having hinged connection with the base, said cover being formed with an opening through whichY certain numerals of the dials are visible, movable locking means for the cover, said cover being formed with an opening through which said locking means is accessible, and a readily-destructible card secured in the base and interposed between said locking means and the opening in the cover through the locking means is accessible, whereby when said card is in place the locking means cannot be reached to unlock the cover except by mutilation of the card.

2. In an indicator, a base, a cover, means,

to secure the cover in closed position, a

threaded post on the base and Within the cover, dials mounted to be turned about the base and having apertures off their common center and adapted to be placed in registration, a plate mounted on the post, a nut on the post and a ainst said plate, and a plate hinged to the igirst-named plate and having an opening to receive said nut and also having a pin to enter the registered apertures in the dials.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.

BARTON F. MOGLOTHLEN. 

